Commissioning & Controls Engineer–Custom Robotics & Automation (65% Travel)

Calqulate; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

Calqulate Metrics Ltd. seeks a Commissioning & Controls Engineer to drive the installation and startup of custom robotic systems. You will manage field deployments, calibrate multi-axis robots, and troubleshoot complex PLC logic at customer sites across North America.

The role blends on-site and shop-floor work in a high-growth environment. Requires 5+ years in automation, strong Rockwell/Siemens skills, and willingness to travel up to 80%.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of field-proven experience in commissioning, troubleshooting and integrating custom automated machinery and multi-axis robotics.
• Strong diagnostic capabilities in PLC logic troubleshooting, I/O tracing, and basic logic modifications (Rockwell/Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal).
• Ability to read, interpret, and trace complex electrical layouts, mechanical drawings, and fluid power schematics on the fly.
• Willingness and ability to travel 50% to 80% to customer production sites across NA and some international destinations.
• Must reside within daily commuting distance of Greater Milwaukee area; valid driver’s license and U.S. citizenship or green card + passport eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal commissioning, live-wire debug, and I/O validation of custom automated systems before shop floor release.
• Calibrate and validate multi-axis robotic platforms and EOAT, including electrical/mechanical setups and network configurations.
• Perform high-level PLC and hardware troubleshooting across PLCs, servo drives, vision systems, pneumatics, and safety interlocks.
• Lead onsite equipment installations and customer site run-offs while training customer engineers and maintenance staff.
• Collaborate with mechanical design, project management, and shop floor teams to quickly isolate hardware, software, or mechanical issues.
• Maintain daily testing hours tracking, update open-issue logs, and generate field progress reports for stakeholders.

Skills

5+ Years Field Proven Experience

PLC & Controls Diagnostics

Schematic & Print Literacy

Travel Flexibility 50-80%

Location & Legal Authorization

Education

Associate or Bachelor's Degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Robotics Engineering

Tools

Rockwell Studio 5000

Siemens TIA Portal

FANUC Robotics

ABB Robotics

KUKA Robotics

Yaskawa Robotics

Job description

Commissioning & Controls Engineer - Custom Robotics & Automation (50-80% Travel)

Up to $59.00 / Hour Base + Overtime Potential Greater Milwaukee Area, WI First Shift Direct-Hire

• Compensation & Earnings: Up to $59.00/hour starting base rate (commensurate with robotics and controls depth) + overtime earning potential + premium corporate benefits package.
• Work Schedule: First Shift | Blended hybrid model balancing internal shop floor debug at the local facility with field deployments.
• Travel Structure: 50% to 80% field travel (predominantly domestic client sites with occasional international commissioning deployments).
• Work Environment: High-growth, family-owned OEM pioneer with nearly a century of continuous manufacturing excellence; fast-paced, high-trust setting building custom automated assembly, high-speed handling, and robotic cells for Tier-1 global clients with zero corporate bureaucracy.
• Career Depth & Tech Stack: 5+ years of hands-on custom automation commissioning; practical PLC logic troubleshooting/programming (Allen-Bradley Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal); multi-axis industrial robotics calibration; servo controls; pneumatic architecture; electrical print fluency.
• Requirements & Compliance: Associate (A.S.) or Bachelor's Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Robotics Engineering preferred (equivalent hands-on experience fully valued); U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder; valid driver's license and passport readiness; daily commuting access to the Greater Milwaukee area.

If you are an elite field controls or commissioning specialist seeking an organization where your diagnostic intelligence directly drives multi-million dollar capital equipment projects, this fast-growing OEM is your ideal professional home. Backed by nearly a century of continuous manufacturing excellence, this family-owned pioneer combines the high-trust, collaborative feel of a close-knit team with the market power and financial stability of a global leader.

Specializing in custom automated assembly, high-speed material handling, and robotic welding cells for Tier-1 global clients, this firm operates free of rigid corporate bureaucracy. You will own complex automated machinery through its full operational birth - from preliminary plant debug and electrical/mechanical calibration at the Milwaukee-area facility to final customer site run-off and sign-off around the globe.

What You Will Be Doing (Core Responsibilities)

• Lead Equipment Readiness: Direct the internal commissioning, live-wire debug, and I/O validation of custom automated systems before shop floor release.
• Robotic & Cell Calibration: Validate advanced multi-axis robotic platforms from scratch, executing initial electrical/mechanical calibrations, communication network setups, and end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) checks.
• Hands-On Diagnostics: Perform real-time, high-level troubleshooting across complex PLC logic architectures, servo drives, vision systems, pneumatic circuits, and safety interlocks.
• Customer Field Deployments: Lead onsite equipment installations, managing technical run-offs at global client facilities while training customer engineering and maintenance personnel.
• Cross-Functional Interface: Partner directly with mechanical design engineers, project managers, and shop floor build teams to rapidly isolate hardware, software, or mechanical bugs.
• Project Administrative Discipline: Track daily operational testing hours, manage active engineering open-issue lists, and submit detailed field progress logs to project stakeholders.

What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)

• 5+ Years Field Proven Experience: Verifiable track record in commissioning, troubleshooting, and integrating custom industrial automated machinery and multi-axis robotics.
• PLC & Controls Diagnostics: Strong diagnostic capabilities in PLC logic troubleshooting, I/O tracing, and basic logic modifications (e.g., Rockwell/Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal).
• Schematic & Print Literacy: Ability to confidently read, interpret, and trace complex electrical layouts, mechanical assembly drawings, and fluid power schematics on the fly.
• Travel Flexibility & Readiness: Complete willingness and ability to travel 50% to 80% to customer production sites across North America and select international destinations.
• Location & Legal Authorization: Must reside within daily commuting distance of the Greater Milwaukee area, hold a valid driver's license, and be a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) with valid passport eligibility.

Preferred Technical Assets (Bonus Skills)

• Multi-Brand Robotics Integration: Advanced path teaching, payload configuration, and communication setup for FANUC, ABB, KUKA, or Yaskawa robotic arms.
• Industrial Vision Systems: Practical setup and calibration experience with Cognex, Keyence, or integrated 2D/3D vision platforms.
• Degree Credentials: Associate or Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or Automation Technology.